Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Do you daughters have lots of personality and a lot of interests? Do they have a flair for fashion and their own opinions already? Mine sure does and she loves to show off her personal taste with her rainbow heart charm bracelet. She loves all the choices, especially her Cinderella charm. There hasn't been a time we've been in GapKids, where we buy them locally, that she hasn't taken a look at the choices there and wanted a new on to add to her collection.

I'm excited to tell you the CHARM IT! 30 Days of Giveaways, going on right now on their Facebook page. There are lots of awesome prizes, new ones annouced at 12 noon and all you have to do is "Like" them on Facebook to participate.

Disclaimer: As part of the blogger program, I will receive a $25 gift certificate for sharing this information with my readers. The opinions and experiences related are personal and unbiased.

I also love Cranberry, the three fashionable bubble tiers and thick black sash make it such a sophisticated party dress perfect for the holidays.

It would look so good with Mom in Mulholland, a flirty black party dress with grograin ribbon and delicate eyelash lace. As you can see, there are so many fun looks. I especially love their vintage dresses and wish I'd have known last year that there are even maternity dresses!

Coupon Code:

I know you're going to want to get gorgeous, so check out all the women's dresses and little girls dresses at http://www.shabbyapple.com/ and save 10% off using the coupon code "nestingspot10off", expires December 17th.

Perfect for any little girl with it’s very modern kimono style with its design of a bright pink background with a paler pink medallion print. Designed by Addi & Kinsi, this dress is made from 100% cotton fabric that makes it convenient and easy to care for..... did we mention comfortable? Easily closed by two bows on the left side of the dress make it accessible for little girls with a “do-it-myself” attitude. Hitting mid-calf, dress is also edged with striped material on collar, sleeves and bows. The wrapped style is unique and creative, making every wear feel like “dress-up” time!

For more...Keep in touch - follow on Google friends, subscribe with email, etc. I'd also love for you to help spread the word! Facebook it, tweet it, etc. Just leave me an extra comment for each one so I can give you all the chances you're entitled to!

Giveaway open to US residents now through December 7th midnight EST. Winner will be chosen via random.org, contacted by email, and 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeit. Good luck and thanks for entering!

Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Shabby Apple. The opinions related within are both personal and unbiased. No other compensation was received.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

This giveaway is now closed, congratulations to katychick, comment #10, who said, "follow gfc-tcogbill" Thank you to everyone who entered!

One of the hardest things for me to figure out each year is what to put in my family's oversized stockings. I don't want to just buy stuff that won't get used or that ends up in a drawer right after the new year. Today I've got a suggestion for something both useful and fun for you to pop inside, the winter Softlips flavors: Winter Mint, Sugar Cookie, Sugar & Spice, and Sugar Plum Berry.

They are perfect stocking stuffers for the holidays that can be enjoyed all season long. You can pop in one of the special dual packs available now throughout the holiday season: Winter Mint/Vanilla, Sugar Cookie/Raspberry, and Sugar Cookie/Cherry.

We got to try out each of the four winter flavors; with so many scents there is one to match everyone's personal tastes. My personal favorite is Winter Mint because peppermint is one of my favorites. It's so clean and light! ER's prefers Sugar Cookies because they smell just like freshly baked treats. Sugar & Spice is richy and well spicy scented; it reminds me of gingerbread. Sugar Plum Berry is sweet and sugary smelling and is ER's second favorite. Guess she has a sweet tooth! I really liked all of them.

Besides stocking stuffers, there are a lot of fun ways to include Softlips in your holiday gift giving. Here are some more ideas, I especially like using the one about using a package as the gift tag.

You can find them the winter dual packs at stores such as Walmart, Target, and Rite Aid for $3.99. There is also a Winter 5-Pack that’s available exclusively in the Softlips online store, Softlips.com that offers all four winter flavors and a bonus flavor of Mint with a Hint of Vanilla. This set is packaged in a festive, blue sachet for $9.99

For the latest information, news, consumer offers, and Softlips. So You. videos, connect with Softlips at:

Keep in touch - follow on Google friends, subscribe with email, etc. I'd also love for you to help spread the word! Facebook it, tweet it, etc. Just leave me an extra comment for each one so I can give you all the chances you're entitled to!

Giveaway open to US residents now through December 6th midnight EST. Winner will be chosen via random.org, contacted by email, and 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeit. Good luck and thanks for entering!

Disclosure: Complimentary Softlips lipbalms were provided. The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased. No other compensation was received.

Monday, November 28, 2011

This giveaway is now closed! Thank you to everyone who entered to make this a successful giveaway! Congratulations to the winner, who's information is below!

Inspire hours of wonder, adventure and dreams by giving a child more than presents for the holidays. Crayola brings colorful ideas to life and allows kids to express everything imaginable by making it super easy for parents to find something that will unleash all kids´ original ideas with their Holiday Gift Guide at www.crayola.com/gifts.

With the new Crayola Jewelry Boutique, kids can become their own jewelry designers! Crayola put a unique "spin" on jewelry making with a special "jewelry spinner" that creates multi-colored beads using Crayola Model Magic. As kids spin their beads into shapes, they can string them together to create original bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and pendants that reflect their own personal style. Let the designing begin!

By combining eye-popping colors to create unique beads with the Jewelry Boutique "spinner," the amount of fun and creativity is endless because no two beads turn out exactly the same!

For a dazzling finish, coat designs with bead glaze. For even more sparkle and pizzazz, add gems, and interchangeable pendant and bracelet charms!

Let your kids´ imaginations run free this holiday season while creating glowing, moving art with the Crayola Glow Book. Turn the lights out and watch their artwork come alive on each page and appear as if it is actually moving!

Using special glowing-ink markers to draw on each of the four clear pages, kids can choose one of the four tracing guides to create original scenes, signs and messages, and arrange them in their desired order. Then, just hit the lights and allow your kids to wow you with wildly colorful, glowing animated scenes. Variable light settings create colorful, multi-layered effects. The Crayola Glow Book wipes off easily so kids can use their imaginations to create endless glowing artwork! A simple wet cloth will do.

Recommended for children ages 6+, the kit includes one Glow Book with 4 clear pages, 4 animation tracing guides and 6 glow markers and retails for $24.99.

Always be prepared to create with the Telescoping Crayon Tower. It puts limitless color at kids' fingertips and compacts neatly for storage with 150 Crayola Crayons and a built-in sharpener for extra convenience and retails for $17.99.

Keep the all-inclusive Ultimate Art Supplies case handy, so they´re can always be prepared to create! Filled with crayons and all of the classic art tools for drawing and painting, kids can share their creativity through colorful works of art!

For more...Keep in touch - follow on Google friends, subscribe with email, etc. I'd also love for you to help spread the word! Facebook it, tweet it, etc. Just leave me an extra comment for each one so I can give you all the chances you're entitled to!

Giveaway open to US residents now through December 5th midnight EST. Winner will be chosen via random.org, contacted by email, and 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeit. Good luck and thanks for entering!

Disclosure: The Crayola Innovative Holiday prize pack, product information and prize pack for giveaway have been provided by Crayola through MyBlogSpark.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to Karin, #56, who said, "gfc follower"

One of the most popular kinds of holiday party in my neighborhood is a cookie exchange. They are so much fun but can be a lot of work, especially if you're invited to several each December. For me the best part is getting together with my friends and now there is another way to do that! Try a Chex Party Mix-Change and catch up while munching on delicious Chex Mix! Instead of spending hours baking, you and each of your guests can each make batch of Chex Mix in the microwave in 15 minutes or less and swap.

That last one is my family's personal favorite, we love the caramel and chocolate! It's so delicious, it's hard to believe how easy it is to make! I also love the Chex PB and Chocolate Blast, because anything with peanut butter and chocolate is great!

Now that you and your friends have gotten together for a new holiday tradition to taste, mix, swap, and share the recipes, you'll need ways to transport them. Try these ideas for putting the treats in easy DIY packages for everyone to take home.

Chex-To-Go - Packaging Chex Party Mix recipes in a takeout container is quick and easy to "carry out." We´re including 10 of these in your prize pack to help you get started!

Tin Tower - Tin is "in" when it comes to creating a hip holiday container for Chex Party Mix-Change guests. Discover oodles of holiday tins at craft or dollar stores.

Giveaway:

I'd love for you to try hosting your own Chex Party Mix-Change and one reader will win everything he or she needs to do so. The kit includes:

5 boxes of Chex cereal to create Chex Party Mix recipes

5 featured Chex Party Mix recipes

10 takeout containers so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go

$20 gift card to purchase recipe ingredients and decorating supplies

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this post, I'd love for you to share how you plan to put a fresh spin on the traditional cookie swap at their Chex Party Mix-Change or your favorite Chex Mix recipe.

Extra Entries:

Keep in touch - follow on Google friends, subscribe with email, etc. I'd also love for you to help spread the word! Facebook it, tweet it, etc. Just leave me an extra comment for each one so I can give you all the chances you're entitled to!

Giveaway open to US residents now through December 4th midnight EST. Winner will be chosen via random.org, contacted by email, and 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeit. Good luck and thanks for entering.

Disclosure: The Chex Party Mix-Change product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Chex through MyBlogSpark.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations Glenda, comment #21 who said, "I get your daily blog"

I have a fabulous giveaway today, one of you will win FIVE new DVD titles from NCircle Entertainment, the leading distributor of non-theatrical children’s DVDs in the U.S., perfect for the six-and-under set. Featuring both beloved classic characters, such as The Cat in the Hat, and newer “soon-to-be” classics, such as the Australian hit, The Fairies, all five releases reflect NCircle’s promise of delivering Entertainment that Educates!

Ideal for seasonal viewing, or as stocking stuffers on Christmas Eve, the five DVDs included are sure to delight young children this winter. Here is a little bit about each:

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99
The newest DVD from The Wiggles is a real treat for the entire family filled with 14 original new tunes and seasonal favorites. It’s the first holiday DVD in seven years from the gang from Down Under, featuring special celebrity guests in performances filmed around the globe. In "It's Always Christmas With You," The Wiggles travel across three continents where they discover the diverse ways the holidays are celebrated by different cultures.

Suggested retail price: $9.99
This brand new DVD contains three episodes from the popular PBS Kids series that premiered in fall 2010, The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!, “starring” the voice of actor-comedian Martin Short. The four episodes on this learning-and-fun-filled DVD are: Snowman’s Land, Flight of the Penguin, A Long Winter’s Nap and Reindeer Games.

Suggested retail price: $9.99
From the phenomenally popular Australian preschool series, The Fairies, comes the premiere of their first-ever holiday DVD for U.S. audiences. It’s 60 minutes of magical fun, with classic carols and new songs that will have little ones singing and dancing to the music all winter long!

Suggested retail price: $9.99
NCircle’s debut DVD from this charming animated UK series will unlock preschoolers’ imaginations as they try on all the fantastic winter treasures in Chloe’s Closet. The DVD features four episodes from the PBS Kids Sprout series: On Frozen Pond, Best in Snow, Icing Escapades and Getting to Snow You.

Our Holiday DVD Package:

My daughter was absolutely thrilled when the DVDs came right before Thanksgiving, they feature some of her favorite characters. They are also the perfect thing to get the whole family in the holiday mood. She was so excited to see The Fairies Christmas Wishes in Fairyland and wanted to open it immediately. She also couldn't wait to see the Chloe's Closet Winter Wonderland because she loves watching that show on Sprout.

WordWorld has long been a favorite show to watch on PBS, it's one right before we leave for school. I love how educational it is, teaching letters and word building. She always enjoys singing along with the Wiggles and I think it'll be the perfect DVD to have playing while we decorate the tree; we loving listening to the Wiggles! We had not seen any epsiodes of the new Cat in the Hat series on PBS before this, but since he's one of my favorite book characters and Martin Short is fabulous, I know it'll soon be a family favorite too. Each of the DVDs are quality entertainment perfect for preschoolers and early elementary aged kids.

Giveaway:

One reader will win a DVD package from NCircle Entertainment, with each of the five titles featured in this post.

To Enter:

Leave me a comment on this post, I'd love to know one of your family's favorite holiday traditions.

Extra Entries:

Keep in touch - follow on Google friends, subscribe with email, etc. I'd also love for you to help spread the word! Facebook it, tweet it, etc. Just leave me an extra comment for each one so I can give you all the chances you're entitled to!

Giveaway open to US residents now through December 3rd midnight EST. Winner will be chosen via random.org, contacted by email, and 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeit. Good luck and thanks for entering!

Disclosure: Complimentary DVDs were provided. The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased. No other compensation was received.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Happy Black Friday! In the US it's the official kick off to the holiday shopping season, although the stores seem to want us to plunk down our dollars sooner and sooner every year. If you'd like to relax instead of getting up at 4 AM to stand in line at stores, I thought I'd show you a quick little gift you can make instead of fighing the crowds.

It's been a little while since I shared a handmade book. Here is one I love to whip up when I need a quick gift. Nonscrapper receipients love them as they are ready to add standard sized photos too. Here is one I made before Thanksgiving so it would be ready to add a few pictures to right after. Here is a quick how-to:

For Binding:

Cut paper to 12X6.75 and score every 1 inch for the 12 inches of length. You will end up with 11 score marks. Fold at every fold and set aside.

For Pages:

Cut 7 sheets of paper to 6X6.75 with the longer length as the vertical measurement.

Tip: I suggest using thick double sided papers for you pages. This is a good project to use your fancy embossed, flocked or glittered papers with as people will really get to feel and see the textures. As opposed to when you use them on scrapbook layouts that will be kept inside of plastic page protectors.

To Assemble:

Lay your binding strip up starting and ending with a valley fold, meaning one that makes a V shape when you look at it from the side. Glue one of your 6X6.75 pieces on top of the end flap, as shown above.

Continue adding sheets of 6X6.75 as shown above, here are what it should look like with two glued on.

Keep adding your 6X6.75 sheets until six have been glued to the binding pleats. You will have one open flap left. DO NOT glue down.

Use your seventh and last 6X6.75 sheet of paper for the cover. Take open flap and fold over, shown above. Add glue to just the top of the flap (the paper with the basket, trees, and leaves) and then attached your cover 6X6.75 sheet.

Here is a view of the completed inside of the book, before we add the binding, which is necessary so the folded pleats will stay closed and the project will appear more book like.

These are the compled pages and what you will stick inside the binding after the next steps.

To Bind:

Cut a sheet of 3X6.75 paper. Score at one and two inches. Fold as shown above. Then cut a piece of chipboard, i.e. extra thin cardboard, to slightly smaller than 1X6.75. Glue in the "valley" between the folds. This will provide your book binding with extra stability and ensure you can enjoy it for a long time.

Add glue to the sides of the inside of the binding strip, but NOT where the chipboard is. Slide your pages inside and press down to glue together.

Note: I decided to add a little punched green leaf border to my cover before pressing down the binding to the front and back. See example at top of post.

Tip: Chipboard is often the extra packing material in scrapbook supplies. You can also use a piece of an empty cereal box or the like.

All Finished!

Enjoy your quick and simple little handmade book. The dimensions are perfect for adding all your standard 4X6 prints with no or minimal trimming required.

Here is another view of the book from the side so you can see the completed binding. See the chipboard reinforcing the binding?

The possibilities are endless when you have the basic steps down as you can change the dimensions to whatever suits your needs. I usually keep the inside pages simple with just a photo and maybe a little writing to keep the book from becoming too bulky. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

I know many of my favorite crafters are busy celebrating with family today, and perhaps over indulging in the green bean casserole, like I probably am! We didn't talk last week about NOT having our usual creative get together so I thought we'd still put up the linky for those of you who have a moment to pop on over.

In honor of today, my three feature are...you guessed it...all Thanksgiving related. Each features the guest of honor at most of our big meals today. Enjoy!

Debra at A Frugal Friend made this "No Sew Applique Turkey Thanksgiving Shirt – Soooo Cute and Inexpensive!" I've actually had the pleasure of meeting Debra at a blogger's conference and she is super sweet. If you want a leg up on all the latest deals and tips on how to save money, you should be reading her :)

Christina at I Gotta Create made these Gobble Gourds, aren't they fantastic? What a fun project and I bet kids would have a blast making one. Click on over to also see her pretty napkin rings that double as place cards. I love how she's incorporated natural elements into her table decor.

My third feature is also turkey related, and doesn't Michaela from Covered in Mod Podge have the cutest little model for her onesie? She used freezer paper, and wow I admire her dedication to cutting out all the letters. Totally worth it, love this typography onesie & the sweet baby!

Party Guidelines

1. Link up to four of your creative projects (No Etsy stores or other linky parties pretty please).

2. Add your link to the specific posts not the main URL.

3. Add a "Crafty Soiree" button to your blog or posts.

4. Please comment on the post linked up in front of you. All partygoers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!

5. Your hostesses would love it if you'd follow us. You can find Malia here.

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I love to do family friendly reviews and giveaways for products that make life better from the kitchen to the playroom and beyond. As a former teacher, I also enjoy reviewing learning materials. Click above or katiesnestingspot(at)live(dot)com

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